HMV launches online movie service

Will join Netflix and LoveFilm in the UK

HMV has announced the arrival of its online film service, aptly called HMVOn-Demand.

The service is the first time the struggling entertainment seller has tried its hand at streaming and has enlisted the help of FilmFlex to power the site – the same company that Virgin Media and Film4 use.

Speaking about the new on-demand initiative, Mark Hodkinson, marketing and eCommerce director, HMV Group, said: "With a growing number of consumers now incorporating video-on-demand into their viewing and purchasing habits, the time is right to include a digital service into our own offer."

Not for mobile

HMV will be hoping that its streaming venture will stymie its profit slump, which saw the company go from pre-tax profits of £67.3m to just £2.6m in 2011.

The streaming market in the UK is burgeoning at the moment – with the likes of LoveFilm and iPlayer paving the way for watching content online.

You can check the service out at www.hmvondemand.com – those who want to rent a movie and watch it on a portable device, though, will be disappointed. In the site's Help section it states that mobile devices are not compatible with the service "due to security and right restrictions".

In short, you will have to do your movie watching in front of your PC or connect your computer up to your telly.